The West - Chapter 2 Flashcards
The Age of Empires: The International Bronze Age and Its Aftermath (ca. 1500–550 B.C.E.).
What is the International Bronze Age?
The period from ca. 1500 to 1100 B.C.E., characterized by the rise of powerful empires (Egypt, Hittite Empire, Mycenaean Greece, and Mesopotamian kingdoms) and intense trade and diplomacy across the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East.
What were the zones of power during the International Bronze Age?
Egypt, Hittite Empire, Mycenaean Greece, Babylonia, and Assyria were the key zones of power during this period, interconnected by trade, diplomacy, and military alliances.
What was “The Club of the Great Powers”?
A cooperative system between Egypt, the Hittite Empire, Babylonia, and other major powers based on diplomatic treaties, trade agreements, and mutual defense pacts.
How did international relations function during the International Bronze Age?
Relations were largely based on diplomacy, gift exchanges, and trade agreements between kings, supported by written treaties and correspondence.
What led to the collapse of the International Bronze Age?
A combination of invasions (Sea Peoples, Dorians), internal revolts, natural disasters (earthquakes, droughts), and economic instability led to the fall of the major empires around 1200 B.C.E.
What were the effects of the Bronze Age collapse?
It led to the fall of key empires like the Hittites and Mycenaean Greece, large-scale migrations, and the beginning of a “Dark Age” for certain regions like Greece.
What emerged during the recovery period after the Bronze Age collapse?
The Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires rose to prominence, rebuilding their territories and dominating the Near East with extensive conquests and strict military control.
What was the significance of the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
Known for its brutal military tactics, the Neo-Assyrian Empire expanded its territory significantly, becoming the dominant power in the Near East by the 9th century B.C.E.
Who were the Phoenicians and why were they important?
The Phoenicians were a seafaring people who expanded trade routes across the Mediterranean and are credited with creating one of the earliest alphabets, which greatly influenced the development of writing systems in the region.
What is the significance of Phoenician trade?
Phoenician traders established key Mediterranean trade routes, spreading goods, culture, and their alphabet, which became the foundation for many future writing systems, including Greek.
Who were the Hebrews?
The Hebrews were a Semitic people who established the Kingdom of Israel, with key figures like Abraham, Moses, King David, and King Solomon playing important roles in their early history.
What was the significance of the Hebrew Kingdom?
The Hebrews established a united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon, with Jerusalem as its capital. The construction of Solomon’s Temple marked a high point in their early history.
What happened to the Hebrew Kingdom after Solomon?
After Solomon’s reign, the kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Both eventually fell to foreign invaders (Assyrians and Babylonians), leading to the Babylonian Exile.
What is the Hebrew Religious Legacy?
Monotheism, the belief in a single God (Yahweh), was established by the Hebrews and laid the foundations for Judaism, which later influenced Christianity and Islam.
How did the Assyrian Empire maintain control over its territories?
Through military strength, deportation of conquered peoples, and the construction of fortified cities, the Assyrians were able to maintain a vast empire spanning from Mesopotamia to Egypt.
